With well over 150 years of combined experience, the staff at Whispering Oaks Lodge is comprised of some of the best in the treatment world. Many on the team have a personal experience with addiction and recovery and are here with evidence-based methodologies to support you or a loved one overcome addiction.
Darren Davis, R. PH.
CEO
Darren Davis, RPh, is a 1989 graduate of University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Pharmacy. Darren worked as a pharmacist for 4 years, and served as the administrator of elite treatment centers for the last 20 years. As a recovering professional himself, Darren shares an interest in the entire recovery process. He feels that focusing on the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of an individual is the key to long-term sobriety. Darren’s vision for Whispering Oaks Lodge is a place where treatment is not dreaded but instead, a place where recovery can be an enjoyable experience at the start.
Dwayne Abshire, LAC
Administrator & Clinical Director
As our Administrator and Clinical Director, Dwayne’s 20 years as a Licensed Addiction Counselor along with his Certification in Clinical Supervision will help usher in effective and quality core programming to Whispering Oaks Lodge.
Dr. Bob Winston, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Bob Winston is an addiction psychiatry doctor who has practiced in the Lafayette, LA area for 36 years.
Julie Arnn, CAC, EAGALA
Certified Addiction Counselor
Julie earned her B.S. from Fort Hays State University. She is a Certified Addiction Counselor (#3397) licensed by the State of Louisiana Addictive Disorders Regulatory Authority. Julie utilizes Rational Emotive Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as her experiences in her personal recovery to assist addicts and alcoholics in working towards beginning a lifetime of sobriety. She views each of her clients as valuable individuals and communicates with their families in an effort to educate them on their role in their loved one’s new way of life.
Julie has 30 years of experience working with horses and is certified in equine-assisted psychotherapy through EAGALA. Julie also practices Experiential Therapy which encourages the clients to identify and address hidden or subconscious issues through their interactions with horses.
Mark Tucker, CAC
Intake Coordinator, Certified Addiction Counselor
Receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Health in 2009 from the University of Louisiana, Mark holds extensive experience working with adolescents and adults with mental health and substance use issues and their families. He has professional skills as a Certified Addiction Counselor, group and individual counseling with both adults and adolescents, worked extensively with family and multi-family groups, program coordination, community outreach and community collaboration. He was the Program Coordinator for Adult Drug Court for the 15th Judicial District and is skilled at working within the adult justice systems. Mark has experience in treating adults and adolescents and has worked extensively in the Intensive Outpatient group setting. His areas of specialty are the group and individual treatment of adults suffering from substance use and co-occurring disorders and family therapy.
Alicia Patout
Intake Coordinator
Alicia is a capable, determined, confident and well organized administrative addition to the Whispering Oaks team. With 11 years of extensive experience supporting mid and senior level managers in the psychiatric substance abuse and mental health industry, she remains an approachable individual with the attitude and willingness required to make a positive impact in people’s lives. Originally from Church Point, Alicia now resides in Youngsville, LA.
Ronnie Viguerie, LAC
Licensed Associate Counselor
Ronnie plays a number of roles at Whispering Oaks including the facilitation of the Intensive Outpatient Program in Lafayette, Louisiana. He has worked with clients that struggle with addiction issues and their loved ones for the last 12 years. In addition to holding a master’s degree in addiction counseling he has gained experience working with other top notch professionals along the way.
“I absolutely love what I do and I take my job very seriously. I believe that anyone who is struggling with substance abuse issues can get better.”
Dr. Doug Broome, MDIV, DMIN
Spiritual Counselor
Dr. Doug Broome has joined Whisper Oaks Lodge as our Spiritual Counselor. With over 30 years of pastoral ministry, we look forward to the spiritual growth our patients will experience under Dr. Broome’s guidance. When not at Whispering Oaks Lodge, Dr. Broome serves as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Natchez, Mississippi. Dr. Broome holds an undergraduate degree from Mississippi College and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Rachel Verret, CPDT-KA
Canine Behavior Specialist
Rachel Verret, the Head Trainer at Camp Bow Wow of Lafayette, is a licensed CPDT-KA Behavior Specialist and CGC Evaluator. After volunteering with multiple animal conservations, she was inspired to make a career change toward animal training. Rachel continually researches and stays current on the most modern, science-based training methods; such as operant conditioning, learning theory, problem solving, neuroscience, behavior issues, and more. Rachel has extensive experience in behavior modification for rescued and adopted dogs from shelters/rescues in addition to customized canine training for dogs and people with disabilities. When Rachel is not at Camp Bow Wow or Whispering Oaks, you can still find her fostering or training rescue dogs, teaching dog bite prevention classes, and coordinating events in hopes of raising community awareness. In her free time, Rachel enjoys kayaking, hiking, diving and traveling.
